We RV'd because of the dog

[Snowman9000]

We started RV-ing a few years ago as a way to be able to travel. Our dog was a poor boarder. So we made several trips with her, including a few long trips southwest in the winters.

This summer she died. We are in no hurry to replace her. We headed out on our current trip to Arizona without her. Missing her but at the same time thinking we would be able to do much more since we weren't going to be tied down with a, let's face it, needy elderly dog.

Instead we are sort of lost. Not because lack of her companionship, but because we organized it all around her needs. We had to stop every couple of hours to let her walk etc. At camp, as at home, she wanted her long walks in the AM and PM.

We were always happier in public CGs, because of the elbow room, trails, dirt and grass. Today we are sitting in the Arizona desert, all the room in the world. Bored silly. It was the same on the travel days too. We made better time, but it was much more boring. We have to come up with a new plan. It won't involve another dog though.

Maybe it's time to tow a dinghy car, stay in one place longer, and take more side trips. Maybe it's time to (gasp) stay in some snowbird parks and meet people.

Or, Maybe it's time to sell the RV, and take advantage of the strong dollar by traveling overseas while we are healthy.

Signed,
Lost in Arizona

[Uppercrust]

We have always had dogs and when we do leave them home not sure what to do with ourselves. I love traveling with my dogs, they get you out for walks a couple times a day. Yes they can tie you down and can't be gone long, but it is worth it to us.

[thomasgunnar]

ReneeG wrote:
I read a saying on Facebook that said something like this, "When I die, don't say you're never getting another dog, but instead say what other dog can I help?"

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Snowman9000 wrote:
That's why it surprised us so much how unfocused our RV trip seems.

Bringing our dogs camping forces us to go outdoors several times per day; or forces us to stop, as we drive longer distances. But I'll assume that most dog owners are like me: while I'm standing there, waiting for one of the dogs to pick that perfect spot to potty (or simply checking the latest "pee-mail") - I'm usually taking in the surroundings, too. It's when I'll notice a new type of bird, or how the rays of sunshine filter through the trees. I can smell the bacon frying at another campsite in the morning, or the murmur of excited children not quite ready for bed. Unless it's a driving rainstorm, I actually enjoy these potty-walks.

Granted, non-dog-owners can experience this, too - it's just that having dogs makes these campground walks mandatory. And I can understand that their absence would be especially noticeable while camping....

[rockhillmanor]

Snowman9000 wrote:
.....Maybe it's time to tow a dinghy car, stay in one place longer, and take more side trips. Maybe it's time to (gasp) stay in some snowbird parks and meet people.Signed,
Lost in Arizona

You certainly do NOT need to stay in as you say: ""(gasp) stay in some snowbird parks"", to be able to meet other campers. :W

In your travels stay at some normal CG's. When you find one you particularly like and you like the surroundings and amenities ....'sign up for a month or two'. That is what I do as a full timer. Sometimes I just need some human interaction as opposed to talking to the dogs!!!

I have never stayed in a sardine packed snowbird park there simply is no reason to be tied to only that type of CG.

Sorry about your loss of your pet but be thankful that now you can travel at will and not have to worry about and make special arrangements for an aging dog. I on the other hand had to pull off the road last year due to an aging senior that no longer was enjoying RV'ing.:(

Embrace the freedom and go out there and start staying at off the beaten path mom and pop CG's with full hookups and you WILL meet some very nice fellow RV'ers. :C

[3oaks]

Owning and caring for a dog or any pet requires responsibility. If anyone has to ponder whether they want to be tied down or restricted by that responsibility, do not even think about obtaining a pet.

We never felt "free" to come and go as we please after loosing any of our dogs. Rather, we were deeply saddened as if we lost a member of our family. The last dog we had that crossed the "Rainbow Bridge" was Cody, our Golden, one week short of what would have been his 15th birthday. Heart breaking! Then Rusty, another Golden became part of our family.

[Snowman9000]

While we are both dog people, we've had our fill of being greatly restricted because of the dog. At least for quite a while going forward. That's why it surprised us so much how unfocused our RV trip seems.

We get our dog fix from DDs dog.

[lizzie]

Our Toller (NSDTR) wandered into our lives, stayed almost 16 years and died in September. We miss her most when we are camping. No long walks around the CG every morning and afternoon, no meet-ups with other campers with dogs, no worrying about how long we can be gone during the day. We are uncertain about another dog. It would not be fair, at this point, to expect any dog to take her place. Time will tell. Maybe another special dog will wander by. lizzie

[ReneeG]

I read a saying on Facebook that said something like this, "When I die, don't say you're never getting another dog, but instead say what other dog can I help?"

[magnusfide]

Snowman9000 wrote:
Today we are sitting in the Arizona desert, all the room in the world. Bored silly. It was the same on the travel days too. We made better time, but it was much more boring. We have to come up with a new plan. It won't involve another dog though.

Maybe it's time to tow a dinghy car, stay in one place longer, and take more side trips. Maybe it's time to (gasp) stay in some snowbird parks and meet people.

I'm sorry for the loss of your companion. I know how that feels many times over.

I would vote for the two you mentioned above. We especially appreciate the side trips and we do "themed" trips for that reason. One trip may be visiting a bunch of light houses. Another might be military museums. We did a Nova Scotia trip that we thoroughly enjoyed and visited the festivals.

Whatever you decide, I would cue from your personal interests. There are plenty of places to visit for the culture here in the US that don't require shots for overseas.:w

[thomasgunnar]

Our dogs are a big part of us. We have now had 4 that have camped with us over the years. I our dogs are not welcome somewhere we make other plans as they go everywhere with us.

When I lost my last rottweiler we said that's enough dogs. When the other one goes we wont get another. That lasted about 3 months and I was on the hunt for another rottweiler. She has camped with us her whole life. All of our dogs love to camp. I think the attention they get is a big part of that.

Lots of folks will stop by when we are sitting outside with the dogs. Many will stop and say we just had to stop and comment on how well behaved your dogs are.

We have met many nice folks because of a conversation started because of them. The dogs are extra work (my rottie is diabetic.) but at this point in time I can't imagine not having a couple.

[path1]

toedtoes wrote:
When a pet dies, there is a HUGE decision to make as to whether to get another or not. It is a very hard decision and there is no one right answer.

You've very much connected your RV time with your dog time, so it may be difficult separating them.

I'd suggest you try some other travel options. Get a feel for the different choices. Take your time. Don't sell your RV tomorrow, don't get another dog the day after - explore your options and then make the best choice for you.

X2

Now I find myself getting my "doggy fix" by waiting for all the dogs to be walked by us. Most love to stop and get scratched. But it's sort of embarrassing remembering the dogs name but not the owner.:)

[toedtoes]

When a pet dies, there is a HUGE decision to make as to whether to get another or not. It is a very hard decision and there is no one right answer.

You've very much connected your RV time with your dog time, so it may be difficult separating them.

I'd suggest you try some other travel options. Get a feel for the different choices. Take your time. Don't sell your RV tomorrow, don't get another dog the day after - explore your options and then make the best choice for you.

[dturm]

The difference between A dog and an elderly or infirmed dog is huge. In 2010 our last remaining dog died just before a planned vacation. We decided to do something special and different (went to Disney World). While we always enjoy RVing, and enjoyed this trip we adopted a rescue about a month after we got home. Now we travel with two.

I think Wildtoad said it well

We don't make plans based on the animals, but do make accommodations.

They do add to our enjoyment, stimulate more activity and require very little in return for what they provide us.

[jerseyjim]

" ...a (gasp!) snowbird park..." Nothing wrong with that, we did that, DO that for about 5 years now. NJ to Apache Junction AZ., for instance. Most have dog runs, some have areas just for "pet owners"...near the dog runs or dog parks because, y'know, some dog owners, being uncaring lazy and inconsiderate, simply don't pick up afterwards.
But...snowbird parks, at least the ones we've been to, are just, simply great. Activities and great people. No matter where we are, our dog makes everything worthwhile. Of course, we're "dog people".

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I understand the OP's post. We bought our first RV, a Class C, simply so we could travel and the dogs could come along. We put over 48,000 miles on it, and Ike and Jack were there every step of the way. They were so intertwined, so many happy memories! We lost Ike in the spring of 2013; and as I cleaned the C to put it up for sale that fall, I was sobbing like a baby. I'm STILL getting teary thinking about it.

Now we're snowbirding in a condo with Ben and Jimmy; and doing some sightseeing trips in our pop-up TC. I can't imagine not having a dog along - they make sure we go outside many times each day. They are why we met so many of our condo neighbors right away - we met the other dog owners first....LOL!